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“We have been redeemed from the curse not only to enjoy blessing but also to pass it on to others.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 98). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

So many around us feel as if they are living under a curse but are seeking a blessing.

Jon says, “John Ortberg again gets at the heart of this: ‘Blessing and cursing are not compartmentalized Bible words at all. They are simply the two ways that we treat people. They are as inseparable as breathing in and breathing out.’ (Ortberg, Soul Keeping, 154–55.)  What would it look like for you to begin to be a source of blessing to those around you?

Jon goes on, “We often underestimate the power of the words we speak into the lives of others. Words create worlds. God said, ‘Let there be…’ and there was. We can shape hearts and minds and identities by the things we speak into others. That’s why James is mortified by the thought of someone worshipping God with passionate emotion at church, then speaking hurtful words to others during the week. He writes, ‘With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.’ (James 3:9-10). When I first realized the ability to bless or curse those around me, I was deeply convicted, especially about the way I spoke to my family. In Proverbs, we read, ‘The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.’ (Proverb 12:18) I had to come to terms with my harsh temper and careless words. I was walking around piercing those I loved with cutting comments, sarcastic wit, and outbursts of anger. In particular, I had to ask my wife for forgiveness. She has been wounded a lot in life, and I could see the immediate healing that began when I admitted my wrong, asked for her help, and started to speak blessings over her.”

He later says, “I have resolved that my words will heal and not pierce. I want to create worlds of hope, grace, and confidence in those I love the most. Is this something you need to do?... What healing might begin, or what new worlds might be possible, because you choose to speak blessings rather than curses to those around you?

Would you right now stop and resolve that your words will heal and no pierce, will you choose to speak blessing rather than curses?  Will you?

Yes, yes!
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